Cutting firewood down into WSM sized chunks

jimithing78 · 05-07-2012, 08:42 PM

Does anyone have any advice for cutting firewood sized oak down into smaller chunks for the WSM? I've got a 10" Makita miter saw but it's mostly been used for trim work. I don't want to push it with big pieces of oak if it's going to ruin the accuracy of the saw.

I'm not opposed to using a chain saw, I'm just not sure how I'm going to keep the pieces still while sawing them. Anyone have a homemade concoction they use they'd like to share?

Bebe · 05-07-2012, 08:49 PM

buy a 12" Makita miter

lol, that's what i do too, LS1030N chops everything! I use a tarp to save the sawdust for smoking...

Moose · 05-07-2012, 08:50 PM

I've used an upright band saw with excellent results, although it's a tad dangerous. If you go this route, you can use the chainsaw to cut rounds from the logs to about 2 inches thick, then use the band saw to cut into smaller pieces.

superlazy · 05-07-2012, 08:57 PM

i use mine with a cheap blade when my wood is too long to fit in our wood burning stove
and my saw seems ok, but then again i don't do trim work

BMantlow · 05-07-2012, 09:03 PM

I split firewood length wood into about 2" size splits and then cut into chunks with a Makita slider/miter. I would not try cutting that small sized chunks with a chainsaw!!!

caseydog · 05-07-2012, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimithing78

Does anyone have any advice for cutting firewood sized oak down into smaller chunks for the WSM? I've got a 10" Makita miter saw but it's mostly been used for trim work. I don't want to push it with big pieces of oak if it's going to ruin the accuracy of the saw.

I'm not opposed to using a chain saw, I'm just not sure how I'm going to keep the pieces still while sawing them. Anyone have a homemade concoction they use they'd like to share?

I use my chop saw (mitre saw) to cut up small pieces of wood for smoking chunks. Use a rough-cut blade, and don't cut too fast -- that wood is hard.

CD

caseydog · 05-07-2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superlazy

i use mine with a cheap blade when my wood is too long to fit in our wood burning stove
and my saw seems ok, but then again i don't do trim work

Yeah, don't use your good trim blade for cutting smoker chunks. A cheap rough-cut blade does the job, and who cares if it gets dull in a year.

CD

BobBrisket · 05-07-2012, 09:28 PM

Chainsaw to cut 3-4 inch thick rounds and then just take an axe or hatchet to the rounds and make chunks. No need to put the stresss on the Makita. Don't risk farking up the miter saw when you can get by with a chain saw and axe that were meant to do that kinda job.

Mo-Dave · 05-07-2012, 10:54 PM

A guy I know that cuts and sell smoking woods in a large way was using a miter saw the last time I was there but I tried it at home and had lots of problems. If the wood rocks or moves just a bit it can throw it hard before you know what hit you. I though I broke my hand and fingers once and have never used a miter saw again, a sliding miter may work better.

Now I use my table saw, of course I have to use round limbs about 3 or 4 inches dia or splits about that size. If it is a large log I use my chainsaw, cut sections again about 3 or 4 inches deep and then take those to my table saw and cut that up like a pie into wedges.
Dave

Pyle's BBQ · 05-07-2012, 10:58 PM

Check CL for a used saw. I got an 8 1/2" Hitachi sliding miter for $90 with 8 blades. Some were trim blades and there were a few rough cut blades.

BobM · 05-08-2012, 07:28 AM

I have an old Delta 10" miter saw. Use a framing blade and make sure it's sharp. Cut slowly.
The last time I cut oak chunks, I used an old, but sharp, cross cut hand saw.

Bob

frognot · 05-08-2012, 07:46 AM

Black & Decker Alligator

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...8X-_-202049905

BobM · 05-08-2012, 07:54 AM

That thing is scary looking. Someone could lose a body part using that :)

Fatback Joe · 05-08-2012, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo-Dave

A guy I know that cuts and sell smoking woods in a large way was using a miter saw the last time I was there but I tried it at home and had lots of problems. If the wood rocks or moves just a bit it can throw it hard before you know what hit you. I though I broke my hand and fingers once and have never used a miter saw again, a sliding miter may work better.

Same experience here, the wood rolled and next thing you know my knuckles were throbbing.

Have not used the miter for cutting chunks since.

V-wiz · 05-08-2012, 09:27 AM

Why complicate things, purchase a inexpensive rought cut blade and move on

05-07-2012, 08:42 PM	#1
jimithing78 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-11-09 Location: Plano, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Cutting firewood down into WSM sized chunks Does anyone have any advice for cutting firewood sized oak down into smaller chunks for the WSM? I've got a 10" Makita miter saw but it's mostly been used for trim work. I don't want to push it with big pieces of oak if it's going to ruin the accuracy of the saw. I'm not opposed to using a chain saw, I'm just not sure how I'm going to keep the pieces still while sawing them. Anyone have a homemade concoction they use they'd like to share? __________________ 18.5" WSM / Weber Performer / Weber Genesis S-320 / Weber Genesis S-310 / 22.5" WSM

05-07-2012, 08:50 PM	#3
Moose Babbling Farker Join Date: 10-12-08 Location: Los Angeles, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I've used an upright band saw with excellent results, although it's a tad dangerous. If you go this route, you can use the chainsaw to cut rounds from the logs to about 2 inches thick, then use the band saw to cut into smaller pieces. __________________ Moose The Fun Never Stops at the BBQ Brethren Throwdowns Custom Avatars by N8 & Grillman www.mooseonfire.com FoodBBQDelicious

05-07-2012, 09:28 PM	#8
BobBrisket Moderator Join Date: 12-11-07 Location: El Paso, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Chainsaw to cut 3-4 inch thick rounds and then just take an axe or hatchet to the rounds and make chunks. No need to put the stresss on the Makita. Don't risk farking up the miter saw when you can get by with a chain saw and axe that were meant to do that kinda job. __________________ UDS, Pit Barrel Cooker-Courtesy of Poobah, WSM, 22.5 Weber Kettles-K and DR Stamped, 18.5 Weber Bar-B-Kettle, Weber 18.5 Smokey Joe Platinum, Weber Genesis Silver B, Lil' Chief Smoker, Lodge Sportman Grill, Backyard Fire Pit, Dutch Ovens, Discada Set Up, Turkey Fryer! BobBrisket Jr.-MUDS, WSJ Silver My BEST Compliment......"You're a good cooker, Dad!"--My Son. DAN!

05-07-2012, 10:54 PM	#9
Mo-Dave Babbling Farker Join Date: 09-18-06 Location: Hurricane Deck Missouri Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A guy I know that cuts and sell smoking woods in a large way was using a miter saw the last time I was there but I tried it at home and had lots of problems. If the wood rocks or moves just a bit it can throw it hard before you know what hit you. I though I broke my hand and fingers once and have never used a miter saw again, a sliding miter may work better. Now I use my table saw, of course I have to use round limbs about 3 or 4 inches dia or splits about that size. If it is a large log I use my chainsaw, cut sections again about 3 or 4 inches deep and then take those to my table saw and cut that up like a pie into wedges. Dave __________________ Lg Spicewine on trailer Weber charcoal grill 2 ugly drums, semi retired Bbq toolbox, formerly Chargrill smoker My wife has gas, its a Brinkman.

05-07-2012, 10:58 PM	#10
Pyle's BBQ Babbling Farker Join Date: 10-25-06 Location: Des Moines, IA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Check CL for a used saw. I got an 8 1/2" Hitachi sliding miter for $90 with 8 blades. Some were trim blades and there were a few rough cut blades. __________________ Bryan, Team: Pyle's BBQ; Good-One "Trail Boss" 60T; Homemade rig; 22" Weber Kettle w/rotisserie ring; Big A$$ Rotisserie; BGE-Small; Weber Kettle Gold, Weber OTS, New Braunfels offset smoker. Saddles BBQ Bistro Μολὼν λαβέ

05-07-2012, 08:49 PM	#2
Bebe On the road to being a farker Join Date: 04-12-12 Location: Brooklyn Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	buy a 12" Makita miter lol, that's what i do too, LS1030N chops everything! I use a tarp to save the sawdust for smoking...

05-07-2012, 08:57 PM	#4
superlazy is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 04-16-12 Location: kenosha,wi Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	i use mine with a cheap blade when my wood is too long to fit in our wood burning stove and my saw seems ok, but then again i don't do trim work

05-07-2012, 09:03 PM	#5
BMantlow On the road to being a farker Join Date: 09-12-10 Location: Dacula,GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I split firewood length wood into about 2" size splits and then cut into chunks with a Makita slider/miter. I would not try cutting that small sized chunks with a chainsaw!!!

05-08-2012, 07:28 AM	#11
BobM is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 02-16-12 Location: Long Island, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have an old Delta 10" miter saw. Use a framing blade and make sure it's sharp. Cut slowly. The last time I cut oak chunks, I used an old, but sharp, cross cut hand saw. Bob __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin \| Weber 18 1/2" & 22 1/2" WSM, 22 1/2" & 26 3/4" OTG, Genesis S-330 \| \| BBQ Guru CyberQ WiFi \| Maverick ET-732 \|

05-08-2012, 07:46 AM	#12
frognot Babbling Farker Join Date: 03-22-04 Location: Allen, Texas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Black & Decker Alligator http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...8X-_-202049905 __________________ Large Big Green Egg WSM Weber One Touch Gold Weber Summit Gold Super Fast, Super Accurate Orange Therma-Pen Retired: NB Bandera (2003-2009) that introduced me to y'all crazy farkers "If you really care about this place, you'll show some respect for it." deguerre Thanks to N8man & NorthwestBBQ for the custom avatars! (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(") "Hang in there Dan Chambers!"

05-08-2012, 07:54 AM	#13
BobM is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 02-16-12 Location: Long Island, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	That thing is scary looking. Someone could lose a body part using that :) __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin \| Weber 18 1/2" & 22 1/2" WSM, 22 1/2" & 26 3/4" OTG, Genesis S-330 \| \| BBQ Guru CyberQ WiFi \| Maverick ET-732 \|

05-08-2012, 09:27 AM	#15
V-wiz is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-20-12 Location: Los Angeles CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Why complicate things, purchase a inexpensive rought cut blade and move on __________________ Wood Fired Brick Pizza Oven.Brick BBQ Pit.Kenmore SS Grill Weber OTG. Brinkmann Smoker.